DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 110/10
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Air Force Hercules test their skills at Air Warrior
A true test of combat air mobility skills is coming for Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-130
Hercules aircraft and crews on their way to Exercise Air Warrior II.
Held out of Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas from April 18-26, Air Warrior II will see personnel
support and fly the Hercules in a simulated frontline environment to deliver troops and cargo.
A C-130H and C-130J Hercules from No. 37 Squadron will depart RAAF Base Richmond for the
exercise on April 13. A contingent of 88 Australian personnel will participate alongside their United
States military counterparts.
Air Warrior II features day and night-time missions which take place in a training area filled with
airstrips, drop zones, and a host of simulated enemy threats.
Wing Commander Matt Hegarty, Commanding Officer of No. 37 Squadron, said Air Warrior II is an
excellent opportunity to further develop the skills of Air Force and Army Air Dispatch personnel in a
joint environment.
“Our success in Air Warrior II will be judged on how we safely and effectively perform our combat air
mobility role as a coalition partner,” Wing Commander Hegarty said.
“Our participation in Air Warrior II is part of how we’re able to successfully integrate with coalition
partners on real-world operations. Through this exercise we learn from people with the skills and
experience in conducting high intensity air mobility operations.”
“While they’re flying their missions, our Hercules crews can expect to face ground-borne threats which
are simulated through pyrotechnics, and be judged on their mission success by an independent observer
who will fly with them.”
Meanwhile, maintainers and operational support personnel must face the pressures of keeping the
Hercules ‘on line’ whilst they defend against ‘enemy’ ground forces.
The RAAF has more than half a century of operating different models of the C-130 Hercules in the air
mobility role, and continues to refine and develop its abilities.
“Air Warrior II allows us to maintain our high standards by utilising training facilities in the United
States which are unlike what we have back home,” Wing Commander Hegarty said.
During the exercise, RAAF and Army personnel will also have the unique opportunity to conduct an
Anzac Day commemorative service.
Media Contact
Flight Lieutenant Eamon Hamilton
(02) 4587 3844 or 0429 868 794
Defence Media
(02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
